The Pacific waters of Hawaii usually are around a chilly 77 degrees, but when you’re surfing or snorkeling, it’s easy to acclimatize to. Initially that’s wayyyyy too cold for me. I’d rather wade in the warm hip height waters of the lagoons. So when I was told that the waters of the Ponce de Leon springs, also known as the fountain of youth, were a blistering 68 degrees, I was apprehensive about literally jumping in. That afterall is the tradition. You jump off a ledge into the chilly waters…

I’m a badass. Checked off the list! Funny, I didn’t feel any younger, just shell shocked! But for some reason, I kept going back for more. You also could just take a walk in the waters in the nearby streams or float in $10 donut themed inner tube they sell on the park grounds.

45 minutes down the way from the springs is the ever popular spring break get away of choice for college kids, Panama City Beach. Your typical strip of hotels, souvenir shops, mini golf, and local seafood restaurants. Since this beach is more North, the water is just a tad cooler than near the Florida tip but the sand is somehow more powdery white and the water is clear for miles.